Game of Thrones Books vs. TV Quiz

From complicated genealogies to detailed geographies, the Game of Thrones books are not for the reader who skims. The television series may try to simplify things a bit, but that means the story isn't always true to the original texts. Test your knowledge of the books versus the show with this quiz, and find out if you know nothing (about) Jon Snow ... or if you could you rule the Iron Throne.

Start Quiz »

You scored

0 out of 30

Question 1 of 30

Barristan Selmy is one of Daenerys Targaryen's advisors. As of "A Dance with Dragons," what is his fate in the books?

He is killed by Sons of the Harpy.

He is still in Meereen.

In the show, Selmy is killed by the Sons of the Harpy but he still happily lives on (so far) in the books.

He marries Daeneyrs.

Question 2 of 30

What character follows Jaime to Dorne on the show, but isn't even in "A Dance with Dragons"?

Bronn

Bronn the swordsman is a fun foil to Jaime on the show, but nowhere to be seen in "Dance of Dragons."

Arya

Brienne

Question 3 of 30

What character comes back from the dead in the books?

Robb Stark

Ygritte

Catelyn Stark

In the books, Catelyn Stark comes back after death as Lady Stoneheart, a much scarier version of Catelyn.

Question 4 of 30

Before Robb dies in the books, he does something for Jon Snow. What is it?

Gives him a direwolf

Makes him a legitimate Stark heir

To keep the North as Stark land, he gives Jon Snow legitimacy as Eddard Stark's son.

Tries to kill Jon's enemy

Question 5 of 30

In a much-discussed scene from the fifth season of the show, what two characters have a sexual encounter that was far less violent in the book?

Jaime and Cersei

Jaime and Cersei's meeting comes across as far more consensual in the book.

Jaime and Sansa

Sansa and Joffrey

Question 6 of 30

What character meets up with Bran in the book, but is not in the television show?

Jaco Finlay

Edric Storm

Coldhands

Coldhands doesn't seem to be making an appearance, although he also helped Sam and Gilly in the books.

Question 7 of 30

What are the White Walkers generally called in the books?

Others

That's right -- they're Others in the books, and White Walkers only to Wildlings.

White Movers

They're primarily called White Walkers in both the show and book.

Question 8 of 30

How do the Stark children look different in the books?

They're blonde

They're super tall

They're younger

In the books, the events have taken place three years later than they do on the show -- making all the younger characters noticeably older on the show than in the books.

Question 9 of 30

What ruggedly attractive character on the series is far less enticing in the book?

Jorah Mormont

Jorah Mormont is supposedly hairy and kind of gross in the books.

Khal Drogo

Jaime Lannister

Question 10 of 30

In the show, Tyrion leaves King's Landing with Varys. Who does he leave with in the books?

Sansa

Littlefinger

Griff and Young Griff

Tyrion leaves with the "Griffs," Targaryens in disguise.

Question 11 of 30

In the books and series, Brienne is a pretty awesome character. But what's one thing Brienne never does in the books?

goes to King's Landing

fight the Hound

Brienne never finds the Hound in the books.

interact with Jaime

Question 12 of 30

Who is Yara in the show?

Asha Greyjoy

To avoid some confusion with the character Osha, Asha's name was changed to Yara.

Arya Stark

Robb's wife

Question 13 of 30

What Dornish character doesn't exist in the television series?

Doran Martell

Trystane Martell

Arianne Martell

Arianne Martell had a twisty-turny plot in the book. . . and is not even mentioned in the series.

Question 14 of 30

What character didn't survive the series but hasn't died in the books ... at least, as of "A Dance with Dragons"?

Ned Stark

Joffrey Baratheon

Mance Rayder

Mance Rayder still seems to be alive and kicking in the books, but is burned on a pyre in the show.

Question 15 of 30

How does Jorah Mormont behave differently in his television version?

His love for Daenerys is only hinted at.

In the books, Jorah Mormont is very adamant in his affection for Daenerys.

He cries all the time.

He is scared of everything.

Question 16 of 30

What scary transformation is shown in the series, and not in the books?

Sam turns into a zombie-like ghoul.

White Walkers turn babies into comrades-in-arms

The White Walkers can apparently turn babies into Walkers, so that's terrible, and only hinted at in the show.

Arya turns into a cat -- briefly

Question 17 of 30

Who seemed to die by Brienne of Tarth's hand on final episode of the show's fifth season ... but is still kicking in the books?

Stannis Baratheon

Stannis Baratheon is definitely still alive in the books, as George R.R. Martin himself has confirmed.

Theon Greyjoy

Cersei Lannister

Question 18 of 30

Who is Robb's wife in the books?

Jeyne Westerling

Robb's wife is actually Jeyne Westerling, a character who doesn't appear on the series.

Talisa Maegyr

Robb isn't married in the books

Question 19 of 30

How else is Robb's wife's storyline different in the books?

The Red Wedding isn't because Robb married her.

She's not at the Red Wedding.

Not only is she not at the Red Wedding, she's also not pregnant.

She hates Robb.

Question 20 of 30

What family had two other characters at Winterfell that made no appearance in the television series?

The Starks

The Greyjoys

The Freys

Big Walder and Little Walder Frey lived at Winterfell -- not to be confused with their relative, Walder Frey who orchestrated the Red Wedding. Phew.

Question 21 of 30

What young character's death by fire is not in the books?

Shireen Baratheon

Shireen Baratheon is never "sacrificed" to the Lord of Light in the books, which makes most of us wonder why we had to sit through the terrifying scene on screen.

Bran Stark

Myrcella Baratheon

Question 22 of 30

In the book, what causes the big fight that results in Daeneyrs flying away on her dragon?

a Meereenese attack on Daeneyrs' life

Drogon the dragon causes trouble

In the show, the Sons of Harpy try to attack Daeneyrs. In the book, the Drogon is the instigator.

Tyrion tries to kill Drogon

Question 23 of 30

What child of Cersei Lannister dies from poisoning on the show, but is not yet dead in the books?